
So it is with interest that I read Microsoft's recent announcement that it is posting a complete list of all patents it owns on its website. Brad Smith, Microsoft's General Counsel explained: "We take this step today because we believe that all stakeholders of the U.S. patent system – private companies, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Congress and the courts – share responsibility for taking steps to improve its operation. Sensible improvements to the patent system, such as increasing transparency on patent ownership, will yield tangible outcomes that enhance American competitiveness, create jobs and foster growth in nearly every sector of the U.S. economy." It will be interesting to see if other companies follow suit.